Amusement Products has sadly announced the passing of company CEO Jay M. Grant, Sr. at the age of 91. The industry pioneer leaves behind a legacy that “helped shape commercial go-kart manufacturing as a prominent and popular attraction in the FEC industry,” the company said.
Before Amusement Products, Grant worked as an accountant for Golf Players, Inc., where he maintained the books for more than 35 mini-golf facilities. Go-karts were added to those locations and were successful, but they didn’t last.
“Having worked for over a decade at Siskin Steel prior to joining the company, Jay knew the reason for this was poor quality steel,” the company said. “He convinced the company founder, Dutch Magrath Jr., to start building their own karts.”
The company became a successful manufacturing business and Golf Players became Pacer Manufacturing with Jay as president. In 1994, Jay, Magrath Jr., and Dutch Magrath III bought out Pacer and became Amusement Products, where Grant became CEO.
“Jay was always quick with a smile and a compliment and was a positive and motivating force for Amusement Products, even up to a few days prior to his passing,” reported company President Dutch Magrath III. “He will be greatly missed.”
Grant was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on April 27, 1930, graduating from Chattanooga Central High School in 1948 and working at Siskin Steel before joining the Air Force and reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He later went to Tennessee Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a degree in finance. He returned to Siskin Steel for 16 years and continued working at Amusement Products until May 20, 2021. He married Marjorie Allene Wiggins on June 14, 1959; they were married for 61 years.